Head of Development

Creative Time, New York City’s veteran and vanguard public arts presenter, is looking for a Head of Development who wants to join a team forging a bold new path for the organization, building upon nearly a 50-year legacy of expansive, imaginative, groundbreaking projects for the public. You must be a self-directed go-getter with an entrepreneurial spirit, a buoyant personality, and a head for numbers to raise support from individual, corporate, foundation, and government sources. 

The Head of Development must be able to pivot between relationship-building with donors, keeping track of details, writing compelling donor materials, and working with other members of the Development team as well as across departments. The Head of Development is an arts lover and creative writer; a great organizer and time manager, and overall a visionary fundraising professional with a commitment to creating unique opportunities for continual funding partnerships. Key measurements for success in this position include the prospect pipeline; total value of gifts secured by the team; timely and accurate donor feedback and ongoing cultivation; and effective collaboration with all internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be passionate about the arts and Creative Time’s mission and have demonstrated success in increasing philanthropic support in a competitive environment. 

Responsibilities: 

• Oversee a development department focused on foundations, individual giving, corporate giving, and special events built upon a passion for the mission of Creative Time 
• Focus on major gifts, patron development, and institutional philanthropy 
• Develop and implement both institutional and project-specific fundraising plans 
• Drive overarching development strategy with the support of the Executive Director and Deputy Director 
• Create a comprehensive annual development plan and calendar with clearly defined goals, objectives, and timelines. 
• Deliver clear updates to members of the Development Committee, the Board, and the ED so that they can follow progress and support goals 
• Lead monthly Development Committee meetings and liaise with committee members and board members around action items 
• Work closely with Creative Time’s Executive Director on major gifts and corporate giving 
• Identify new major donor prospects; develop solicitation plans 
• Maintain, with support of the Development Coordinator, an organization-wide Salesforce database of members, donors, and prospects. 
• With support from all departments, create and execute direct mail, email, and social-media appeals, as well as other cultivation and fundraising efforts. 
• Attend arts events, including in the evenings, to represent Creative Time and meet potential supporters 
• Work with our Development Coordinator to execute an annual donor engagement calendar that includes artist and activist talks, gallery walks, museum visits, happy hours, trips, and other events designed to build community among Creative Time’s supporters. 
• Conceptualize fundraising events and work in collaboration with all departments to execute 
• Work across the organization to develop departmental budget, and work with Executive Director and external financial management services firm to monitor and forecast revenue and expenses. 

Requirements: 

• Highly creative and organized, detail oriented, independent, strategic, and self-starter with a sense of humor 
• Strong interest in contemporary art as well as public and urban issues in New York City 
• A minimum of seven years of fundraising experience, with progressive levels of leadership experience 
• A proven track-record of closing significant gifts and leading teams, preferably in the arts sector 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Ability to inspire, manage, mentor, coach, recruit, and retain both staff and board members 
• Knowledge of fundraising software systems (especially Salesforce) 
• Existing individual and institutional relationships within the New York City cultural philanthropic sphere a must; a network of diverse funders outside of the cultural sector who align with Creative Time’s mission is a plus 
• Knowledge of professional standards and legal parameters regarding fundraising activities 
• This hybrid position works Monday through Friday, 10AM-6PM, with the ability to work from home on Mondays and Fridays. Tuesdays through Thursdays are in-office days at our downtown Manhattan office.This position requires the ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to attend fundraising events. 

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing your relevant background and skills, plus two reference contacts as PDF documents. Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately in order to receive the fullest possible consideration. 

Email materials as PDFs to [email protected] with subject line: “2025 Head of Development.” No calls please. 

Creative Time is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, ability, age, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, or military status. 

Our work at Creative Time is inherently political, social, and invested in the global justice movements of our time. It is also fun, experimental, and often very delightful. We value individuals who embody those values, backgrounds, and lived experience. 

05/20/2025